I think it is probably more common than you'd think - very often the initial plans are quite flawed.

As smilodon says try find a new direction to go in - take the experience you have - experimental techniques etc and apply them to something else - if you have a specific field that interests you, now is the time to embrace it - with the experience, research techniques and knowledge of your field that you have gained by now, I'm sure you can think of a new approach

Many people change their outline even in 2nd and 3rd years and still do just fine.

It depends on how helpful your supervisor is, but try sit down with them and get a plan of action of what you should do, or brainstorm new avenues to investigate?

Good luck

S

As for spouses, there are some complications and you have to get it right, spouses don't have the right to apply to work (under a J2 visa) until they enter the country -
this process can take up to 60 days before they can work - although the uni assures me it can be done quicker - which is a bummer because my wife has a job offer as well and it pays about double what I get.

Once you get to the visa stage, put a post on here and I'll make sure you get the right forms because the US embassy website is garbage at telling you what forms need done by you!

As for the jobs, the only way to find out would be to apply - the worst they can say is no!

Good luck with it all

S

as far as I'm aware you pretty much need the job offer to be able to apply for the visa anyway, the other post doc in my lab got the job offer and visas done in about 1 month so it can be fairly rapid.
I was told for what I'm doing that I couldn't apply independantly for the visas and the Uni had to do it - which was no skin off my nose.

As for the right to work in the US, it really depends what they mean? - it might be, in these cases they are trying only to target US citizens to avoid this. But essentially you are entitled to work in the US, you just need a visa to do it. You will get at least a J1 visa no problems if you have passed your viva because you have specific qualifications that are required etc. etc

no way! my wife and I were just talking about those last night, her grandparents used to have one - ha!

I'd knock the tea over trying to turn the alarm off - suppose that'd get you out of bed ;)

yea don't know if I need a gadget that gets coffee to me faster than I already drink it

Oh and a laser printer that automatically prints on both sides - completely essential when writing up ;)

I stuck with windows XP because of these problems, when I got a new desktop recently, but upgraded to MS office 2007 well worth it - its a lot easier to use once you get used to it (and that doesn't take too much)

I feel that each PhD is very individual as is the way people work. I prefer to start early and finish at a reasonable time but other I know just aren't capable of functioning 100% early in the morning, but can work much later than me.

Comparing the amount you work to what others do is ultimately a pointless endeavour and usually results in you feeling inferior about how much you do.

As long as you are happy with your progress you shouldn't really worry

Different kind of stresses I think - not from experience though

In academia you'll still have to deal with presentations and publishing, but unlike PhD you will be able to get away from it, you'll be given holidays that you can actually take and you'll be able to take days off without feeling guilty.

When you want to go for a new job you don't have a horrendous 6-12 months unpaid write up followed by interrogation of your work either. You just quit and start the new job.

you'll be treated as a colleague not as a student etc etc

There will be stresses I'm sure but of a different nature

someone I talked to recently told me that they had been speaking to a professor who still reflects on his PhD as the hardest thing he has ever done. Which is actually a good point, not just that PhDs are hard, but that life gets easier.

PhDs are the kind of stress you will probably not encounter at any other point in your life

You are already 1 year in, try hang in for the next 2 and you've got the rest of your life ahead of you to reflect on how much it sucked

S

I know some people will see theirs more, but I've seen mine twice in the three years, he hasn't turned up to a single talk and has had no input.

I do know some people see theirs on a more regular basis and take their advice etc.

As far as I was aware their purpose is to check on your progress and also act as someone you can go to for advice if you are having touble with your main supervisor etc.

I think thats probably the best way if they are that bad.

do you have anyone else you can put forward for the role?

good luck

S

but you do have to start with your supervisor, just try find the right rational, make yourself sound reasonable in not accepting him, like instead of saying:

'I just don't like him'

try

'based on our previous meeting I didn't find his/her inputs constructive and don't think he will aid my PhD'

Does that make sense? its all in the way you say it.

hope any of this helps

good luck

S

I think you do have the right, there are plenty of folk who will tell you how bad it is having the wrong supervisor group.

Was he really pointing and laughing at you!! that just makes him a jerk and I can't expect anyone respects him for that kind of attitude

It is a tricky situation, you do still have to tread carefully

AT the end of the day I suppose the only thing you can do is follow proper protocol, speak to you supervisor first, if that doesn't work speak to the PhD co-ordinator for the department and if that doesn't work you can speak to the main PhD co-ordinator for the Uni.

I think I have to change my mind as well, having thought about it, if I lent a book to someone and it cam back dog eared I'd be annoyed they hadn't looked after it.

I think it was your responsibility to return it to them in the condition they gave it to you

Sorry!

S